FRIDAY FIVE: LET'S EAT!

My first ever Friday Five is dedicated to Nikki, sister RevGal, who was hungering for an opportunity to write about Haggis. With that introduction, today’s FF is all about food!

1) Is there a food from a foreign land whose reputation led to trepidation when you had a chance to give it a try? Did you find the courage to sample it anyway? If so, were you pleasantly surprised or did you endorse the less than favorable reputation that preceded it?
That would be Haggis. Knowing what it's made of caused me to be wary. LH ordered it in Oban, Scotland and I tried it and really
liked it. As long as I didn't think about it too much, it was quite delicious and something I would eat again!
In England, it was mushy peas! Why ever would one take a good pea and cook it to mush? I really didn't care for mushy peas at all.
Up in the Yukon, it was caribou and reindeer and muskox - all very good, especially the reindeer sausage!!!

2) What food from your own country/culture gets a bad rap?
Blutwuerst or blood sausage. Yuck! Kalbskopf or calf's head - where the head is cooked and you eat the gelantinous stuff. Never
will I try it. Senne Mutschli cheese - rather fragrant semi soft cheese but oh so good.

3) Of what food are you fond that others find distasteful?
Perhaps, that would be spinach. Many folks don't care for it. I love it cooked or raw in salads. I make spinach omlets that
are a dinner and oh, so tasty.

4) Is there a country’s food, not native to you, that you go out of your way to eat?
Greek! Dolmades, Gyros, Lamb, Spinakopita, Baklava, Greek salad, what's there not to love? I also enjoy French, German,
and Swiss foods.

5) What is your guilty pleasure food?
Swiss milk chocolate that simply melts in your mouth! The best stuff on earth!

Bonus: What was your most memorable meal (good or bad), either because of the menu, the occasion, the company, or some other circumstance that makes it stand out?
There have been so very many. One was in Sion, Switzerland with LH and his Dad after a day on the small Matterhorn in Zermatt.
We were on our way back to our chalet and stopped for dinner. Since it was October, it was game season. Being in the French-
speaking part of Switzerland it was a bit challenging not speaking French. We stopped at this little restaurant because it had
a game menu. The menu was all in French. We asked the waiter if he knew German. "Not really," he responded. How about English?
"Even less than my german!" he replied. We inquired about a certain game item - and he tried to explain! Then he mimicked a
snort, crooked his two index fingers on either side of his mouth and I guessed it - wild boar!!! It had been marinated for
a week and was simply delicious. After a picture perfect day with the Matterhorn we had an absolutely fantastic gourmet meal
for dinner.
In South Africa while in Capetown, we ate dinner at Café Africa - a multi course dinner with items from various parts of
Africa and good wine. The kudu was wonderful and each course was so delicious. We waddled out of there, thankful for the
20 minute walk back to the hotel. Another night, we ate at Panama Jack's, a little shack (known by locals) on the docks.
We enjoyed King Clip and great wine, that was simply divine. We took a taxi from the hotel to get there, since it's hard
to find. The taxi driver wanted to know how we heard of it being Americans!!! I told them, our friends in Jo'burg!!!
Up in the Yukon, we ate some memorable dinners of native food - see above - and a scrumptious muskox, caribou and reindeer
stew also with great wine. Being with LH, in some of the most wonderful places, with great food made for the best meals.
I would also say, that being with family, whether at Thanksgiving (when I cook) or at the Lake House in Wisconsin with
my sister, BIL and family with something grilled and salads and items we all cook together, along with great wine, good
company and being right on the shores of Lake Michigan - make for some of the best dining experiences ever. Company, great
food, good wine, and a nice view - always makes for the most memorable meals.

SHORT WEEK

For a short week, it's been busy! Spent Labor Day morning mostly in the kitchen preparing a Mediterranean Eggplant, Zucchini, Quinoa Salad with Kalmata olives, and cherry tomatoes. It involved roasting the eggplant and zucchini - fortunately only one small tray got too roasted! It was really delicious. My SILS drove in for the afternoon and we enjoyed their company, skyped with their older brother and wife in Canada, and ate well - the salad, grilled Italian Sausage, green salad and cheesecake from Trader Joe's with a selection of various kinds with and without chocolate.
I went into the church office Tuesday instead of Monday and again today. Tomorrow I work on my sermon and do a bit of grocery shopping and perhaps, get my hair cut. I have a bunch of laundry to tackle as well.
Saturday I will be making an Asian Cole Slaw for the church picnic on Sunday and baking Snickerdoodles for the mission project of packing items for deployed military personnel.
The guest bathroom and powder room got a quick once over and the downstairs got vacuumed and dusted. Real housecleaning won't happen til next Tuesday - nearly a week later than usual. I have a birthday gift to wrap and pack, and surprise birthday planning to complete - the wrapping will take some time.
So, a packed short week.
The Boys are learning a new routine this week - being left alone on Tues. & Wed. for far longer than normal. So far they've handled it just great! Hoping I'm not jinxing it today by mentioning it!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I need to be updating my dossier. I don't think I'll be here for a whole lot longer. I pray that God will open up a fresh opportunity for me to serve. Such is the downside to interim ministry. It would be a grace to be a bit more stable for awhile.
But I am grateful to be serving.
Here's to short, busy weeks! They go by really fast!!!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: FIRST TIMES

And for today, here's a Friday Five looking at the other end of things: Firsts. With so many folks starting school, college, seminary, etc. I've been thinking of a lot of other firsts in my life. Share with us, if you will:


Your first "place" - whether it was an apartment, dorm room, or home with a new spouse, the first place where you really felt like a grown-up:
My first apartment in OH. I was responsible for paying rent, utilities, keeping it clean, etc. I had a balcony facing west and even
had a smokey joe Weber grill and grilled in the summer. Although, I lived in an apartment in Seminary, shared with two roommates,
and lived in a dorm room the last two years of college, also with a roommate, being on my own was definitely the time I felt all
grown up.

Your first time away from home. Construe this any way you want. College? Girl Scout Camp? Study Abroad?
Let' see: there were Girl Scout overnighters and sleep over with school mates. No big deal. College was easily the first time
away from home and being really homesick. Here was a suburban Chicago gal transported to rural central IL. Wow, what an eye-
opener!! And I thought they were a bit behind! Nothing compared to OH where they are two-three years behind the rest of the
nation. I've adapted over the years and it doesn't bother me as much anymore.
Then there was the summer I lived with my Grandma in Switzerland while doing a assistant pastor internship while in Seminary.
Since I was with Grandma and all my relatives and I'd been there so often before, it felt more like a second home. I really
wasn't homesick and the summer flew by.
There was the college trip to the Philippines, Greece and Switzerland, where I basically flew nearly around the world all on
my own. I survived, got around okay and had a culturally enlightening trip.

Your first job in your field of endeavor (so, not babysitting, unless you are A Professional Babysitter today):
My first position was that of a prison chaplain in an all male prison where I had my first apartment. It was a great
experience. I learned to deal with many personalities and personality disorders. I was part of a solid chaplaincy staff. I
really enjoyed and grew in my ministry.

Your first time hosting. Again, construed broadly, this could be a dinner for the in-laws, your first time to have guests for a holiday meal, etc.
When I was in High School did host a party for the kids at work, while my parents were away. I'd have gotten away with it,
except one dorky kid broke a chair. Couldn't hide that. I made Italian beef sandwiches and everyone brought munchies.
The first family hosting was a Thanksgiving dinner two years after LH and I were married. We hosted his family and I really
cooked and was a nervous wreck. Over the years, I've gotten more laid back and don't stress as much - this is 23 years later.
I still cook Thanksgiving dinner, making stock from scratch, the stuffing is homemade, as are the mashed potatoes and dessert.
I really like the way the house smells with the turkey roasting and the warmth from all the cooking and setting the dining
room table with china and crystal. Just miss my father-in-law being there.

Your first love.That can be a person or something else!!
My first love was reading! I loved to read and still do. My Mom would make me stop reading to go out and play and to do
chores. I always used to read before going sleep.
My next love, at about the same time, was swimming. I was the youngest at the time to get my Swimmer's badge. In fact when
I took the test, the instructor put in the lane next to side of the pool, in case I had any trouble! (Snort of derision) I
came in fourth and had no trouble. They wanted me to join the swim team, but I declined. I loved swimming too much to make
it work or a chore. I just wanted to delight in swimming, for fun.

INSIGHT OF THE DAY:

I am not responsible for others' irresponsibility.
Truly. I am not.
Stopped at the gas station to fill my tank. While filling, a 19ish year old, approached me, apologized for disturbing me and mumbled something about his friend needing to get to work and could I spare a buck or two.
Now, how will one or two dollars help the young man get to work? That won't even buy a gallon of gas. When I first pulled into the station, this young man was sitting outside the front doors and smoking a cigarette. So, what was this money going to be used for?
A hot dog, gas, cigarettes, beer, drugs, etc? Their car was parked at one pump down and across from mine. If he had money for a polar pop or cigarettes, then, this young man was not using his money wisely or well.
I declined to give him any money. And then, he shouted, "Oh, F-bomb!" strode off the car and they pulled away.
I didn't deserve to have profanity yelled in my face.
And I reiterate: I am not responsible for others' irresponsibility.
I am thankful it was just the f-bomb and nothing more serious. Really, one should be able to gas up one's tank without feeling threatened. Those young men need prayer and new life.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: PACKING OR PACKRAT?

So let's talk "packing or pack rat?" for this week's Friday Five.

1. Are you a sorter or a pack rat? What I mean by that is, do you select what you are taking with you (on a trip, a new assignment, a vacation), or do you pack with abandon (overweight suitcases be damned!)
I usually start making piles of things to take with and pack. Generally, there's too much and then I begin to eliminate.

2. Who first helped you learn how to pack? Or did you just come into it by osmosis or natural gifting (and need)?
My mom first taught me how to pack. Whenever we flew to Switzerland, she knew just how and what to pack. When we went camping
every summer, we packed up our clothes in huge, thick plastic drawstring bags from the hospital that my aunt worked at. My Mom
was a great packer and organizer.

3. What's your favorite kind of suitcase? Duffle? Soft-side? Wheels? (I am personally a fan of my "expanding zipper" wheelie suitcases. Saved my bacon on many a return trip home!)
I have soft-siders that expand on wheels. What a great invention - the wheels!!!! I don't know how I travelled to Switzerland,
Greece and the Philippines without wheels, dragging two suitcases, a carry-on and a purse. I was young and strong at the time!

4. Do you have that "packing gene" -- or do you pack and cram what you need into every available space?
I don't know about the packing gene, since I had to learn it. I always take too much with. My suitcases tend to be more on
the full side, although I allow extra room to bring back souvenirs, chocolate and cheese(from Switzerland). I have brought
home - glass pieces, bottles of liquor, stoneware and (knock on wood) nary an item has broken. I slip them and wrap them
around clothes make sure they won't shift too much and are well cushioned. Sometimes, I am able to get bubblewrap and
newspapers for extra padding.
LH always travels with a 1/2 empty suitcase. I've had to put some of the things in his suitcase because he packs so light but
is so very fussy about his neatly placed items.


5. What's one thing you've learned in traveling, packing or storing your belongings that you think everyone should know?
See above about packing bottles of liquor or glass pieces. Also, rolling some shirts makes the most sense and saves space.
I never roll bulky sweaters - takes up too much room. I lay them flat. Also, I stuff things inside my extra pairs of shoes
which also provides protection (like jars of jam) and makes for great extra space.

INSTEAD OF WHERE'S WALDO?

...I play, Where's Grasshopper? We've had a couple really humungous grasshoppers living in the flowerbeds. One apparently really enjoys munching on the Siberian Iris leaves and lives amongst them. The other lives on the other side of the same porch side, and a smaller one was in the inkberry bush although much smaller and browner.
Every time I go out on the porch, I play, Where's Grasshopper? They can camouflage rather well but I've been perceptive enough to usually find them. Yesterday morning, the big green/brown grasshopper was masquerading as an Iris pod by clinging upside down right alongside two Iris seed pods. It looked just like a seed pod unless you really looked closely. I've seen her munch with her big, wide mouth the Iris leaves. She has hopped on the inukshuk I made in the flowerbed to warm herself on the sun baked stone.
The smaller brown grasshopper had one leg caught in the spider web on the front of the house on the vinyl siding. He did manage to extricate himself and won a second chance at life instead of being sucked dry by a spider.
The bees and the butterflies are always stopping by gathering pollen or nectar. And the garden spider by the inukshuk gathered a Japanese beetle in her web and was busy wrapping it so it couldn't escape.
The house spider in the corner by the dining room window has caught; an unfortunate lightening bug, a moth, a mayfly, another bug, a Japanese beetle I stomped on and promptly put in her web ( with a leaf), and a very green grasshopper that when she was done with it was as flat as any leaf.
Wednesday night late, before going to bed, LH and I stepped out on the porch. All was dark and quiet. Everyone had lights out and gone to bed. The street lights shone their peachy hue onto the street and there we saw the calico cat that wanders the neighborhood and has had the audacity to stroll through our backyard despite the fence and two greyhounds who would love to chase it if given the opportunity. She was stalking something and chased back and forth across the street from curb to curb, and up and down. It looked like a mouse. It was rather amusing to watch. She eventually did catch it and took it onto the lawn across the street, probably for a bit more play.
Late at night, when all the neighbors were fast asleep, we watched the drama played out in the street.
We never know all the life that is around us, unless we spend time watching and looking. There is a whole world out there that we often simply rush by, overlook, don't see, because we don't take the time. I'm grateful to have the time to see all the life that is part and parcel of our little corner of the world. There is always more around us than we ever see. And it is all part of the wonder of God's creation.
I look forward to playing, Where's Grasshopper?, for a few more weeks!

A BIT OF A SURPRISE

It was at the church council meeting last Wednesday evening - when as we were settling down to begin that one member checked her phone and got the message that this synod's bishop was just elected presiding bishop of the whole denomination!!! Surprise!
What a blessing to the larger denomination of this gifted, talented and insightful clergywoman and what a loss to this Synod.
Though I am not of this denomination, I have had great admiration of this bishop and her leadership, work and ministry in and throughout the Synod. She has weathered some rather tumultuous times within the Synod, and has sailed through them a bit bruised but not too battered. I know that she will be a gift to the larger church and do so ably and competently. I really hate to see her go! But understand that God is at work in her life and calling her to serve the church, share her gifts, and do so on much larger scale.
I knew this before LH did and brought the news home to him which he quickly confirmed on-line!!! That was priceless!! To know something of such great import in his denomination before he knew it!!!
It makes me begin to wonder my denominational regional leader. I admire her greatly, as well. She is much softer and gentler than the bishop, but just as powerful, able and competent. I hope she is not too anxious to leave us. The whole Presbytery has benefitted much from her leadership, ministry, insight and wisdom as well. I pray she stays for awhile longer.
Perhaps, I admire these clergywomen because they are comfortable in their own skin, confident and possess a deep faith.
I am feeling particularly blessed today, to have served with these clergywomen, to appreciate what a gift and grace they are,
and the example they show forth. Blessings be upon them and abound in their lives even as they continually answer the call to serve where God leads them for the good of God's people. I am thankful for them and give thanks to God for them.

ORDINARY TIME

In this Ordinary Time, things have been...well...ordinary. Around these parts, August has been cooler than normal. There is the sweet corn bumper crop with all the rain we had this spring/summer. Indeed, even our lawns and the meadow are still pretty green. Highly unusual for this time of year. I haven't even had to water the garden much at all. The tomatoes are ripening and I have a bowlful on the kitchen counter. Not quite enough to cook up into sauce, but too many to eat between two people. Since they are still getting a bit more ripe, I have some time to think about it.
LH and I have enjoyed the many visits from Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Black Swallowtail butterflies, as well as a couple Viceroys and Hummingbird moths to the butterfly bush. The Dr. Seuss flowers are all spent and the hummingbirds have to go back to using the nectar feeder.
I have been busy with the ordinary - cleaning house, getting an oil change, and doing laundry. The ordinary and mundane tasks that need to be done. With my more regular cleaning - as opposed to LH's whenever he gets around it - it has become much easier and quicker, even the shower stays cleaner longer!!! That's all it takes - regular cleaning and tending. The dust, however, still settles in and on more quickly than it ought - at least in my opinion!
I still have closets to go through and pack up clothing that has grown too big. I have a hard time parting with some items, even though they no longer fit. I just need to bite the bullet and let these items have a next life with someone else.
I am missing my niece who is over in Africa working on her doctoral project. We have had some great conversations on the phone while she was still in Med School in IL. Now she's gone for 6 months, living rather austerely in some very humble lodgings. Fortunately, she has warm water with an outside shower, a now working toilet and she purchased a two burner stove to heat soup and eggs. She's hoping to partake of the bananas outside of her residence, but fears the monkeys might beat her to them when they ripen! I don't believe my niece has much ordinary in her days so far.
Ordinary is ok. It is comfortable. It just lacks a bit of pizazz. I have enough to keep busy with the church, even though part-time and as ever, more than enough to keep me busy at home. It is good. It is grace-filled. I can savor the quiet and the busy and the mundane. It is all grace just to receive a day and give thanks and be thankful for it.
Hail, Ordinary Time - thou art still a teacher of me.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - KEEPING MY COOL

Recognizing that RevGalBlogPals are from around the world, your weather may be different. But play along and tell us how YOU beat the heat when it's in season with this week's Friday Five.

Tell us your favorite:

1. Cool treat
That would be a fresh peach or cold watermelon. Chocolate ice cream or frozen custard.
2. Cool drink
Nothing beats a glass of ice cold water!
3. Cooling-off place
Our home with air-conditioning. LH likes it cool and sometimes I even have to put a sweater on!
4. Cool clothes
Linen is the coolest as is pure cotton whether a dress, skirt and shirt, or capri's with a shirt. I have
a few linen pieces and some cotton skirts and dresses that I wear on very hot days. Keeps me cool and comfortable.
Too bad so much of what the manufacturers make these days is polyester.
5. Best alternative to air-conditioning
Nothing really beats air-conditioning unless you are fortunate enough to have a pool. I could be in a pool all day
long on a really hot day and have done so in Florida at my parent's home when they were still alive. Now that was
refreshing and totally wonderful!

BONUS:
Share a photo of your favorite hot weather "chill out" spot

SETTLING FOR LESS

The neighbor teen(young teen)finally got around to mowing the lawn yesterday. It was getting shaggy, the lawn not the teenager!
The father was with him as the teen started the mower and off he went. The father then went inside to work.
Now this is not the first time this teen has mowed. It must be about the third or even fourth time. And some of the same issues are apparent from the first mowing to this last one.
He has improved somewhat in mowing straighter. That being said, he doesn't always overlap his rows which means you get some skinny strips that he's missed and the grass stands taller than what has been mown.
He also hasn't discovered that when mowing next to the driveway, sidewalk or corners, one has have the mower wheels on the
said driveway, walk, etc. so that the grass hugging the driveway, sidewalks, etc. also get mown. Otherwise, you have grass next to the driveway, sidewalks and in corners that stand tall next all the rest (more or less)that was mown.
Obviously, there is room for improvement. Obviously, mowing the lawn is not merely a simple matter of mindlessly walking back and forth behind a mower. There is a little more to it and lessons to be learned.
1. You should mow a different pattern with each cutting, good for grass and growth.
2. Never cut the grass too short - you can fry your lawn in the summer by doing that. (The teen was fortunate in that it rained
before the lawn was fried and wrecked.)
3. Look back before you start a new row and see if you mowed it straight or not. That way you can straighten it out.
4 See above about grass along driveways, sidewalks and in corners - the mower might need to be a third to half on the
driveway to cut that grass and give it a nice crew cut look that matches the whole rest of the lawn.
5. Take pride in what you're doing, no matter how small, simple, menial, chore-like it is, make it look good, do the
best you can.
6. If you missed a spot or ignored the grass along the driveway, sidewalks, corners, go back and do it and finish it well.
The father never came back out to check the work nor offer any advice, which most teens don't really welcome but still need to hear, and take in.
Had it been me, I would've had the teen back out there cleaning up his attempt to mow. It would have been an unacceptable job, and my teen would know it.
It seems to me that we have so lowered our expectations of most everything - especially service jobs - that we settle for things that are less than acceptable. And to what end? To make others feel a sense of accomplishment when they could have done so much better and had a truer sense of accomplishment and a job well done? How else do we learn if we are not held to a higher standard, or motivated and encouraged to do better than a half-baked job or turn in a crummy report that we know was not as good as we could do.
This father has missed a most wonderful teachable moment in his son's life - to strive to do well and the best job that you
can. If it's not up to par, go back and fix and finesse it so it is up to par. Take pride in what you do, big or small, spectacular or mundane. Offer up something better than just mediocre. Hold yourself to a higher standard.
Maybe that's one of our problems today - settling for something less, even when knowing it could be so much better.
There's been that idea of "just showing up", which does indeed mean something. But when you "show up", give it your best
and your all. Don't just put in your time, punch the time clock, go through the motions. Make it all count for something, take
pride in helping, doing, serving, mowing, cleaning, repairing, etc. Yes, you get credit for simply showing up, but there's
so much more awaiting you if you give your best in every effort and do something.
I miss things at times, or forget to cover every detail, but I try to the best I can and take pride in what I do. I want others to be more than satisfied with my offerings and not feel that they are settling for less than acceptable.
I pray, that this teen may still learn the lesson and get the message, but, I fear the opportunity has been missed and the family will merely accept the less than acceptable and live with a funny looking lawn. It's not the most important thing in the world, but it is a teachable moment. When we do the best we can in the small, simple, most mundane of tasks, we will offer the very best when it comes to the larger things in life, mowing the lawn included.

FOUND -

When I happened to go through a stack of books in my study/storage room, I came upon a book I'd forgotten about. So, I promptly pulled it out of the pile and set about to reading it. The book, Two Women of Galilee, by Mary Rourke was a fictional account of Joanna, wife of Chuza, chief steward in Herod Antipas' court. It mainly centered on Joanna and a bit less on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It was an interesting read - a bit sparse in really fleshing out relationships. But interesting nevertheless.
I suppose I should go through that stack a bit more often, it seems that there may be another one or two books just waiting to be discovered. In the meanwhile, I will focus on Wonderstruck and get back to it.
When we made a trip to TJ's on Friday, we found a new thing - Chicken Gorgonzola. A frozen chicken dish, well seasoned with pesto and gorgonzola cheese. It was very tasty, and meaty, we didn't even finish it all. I had leftover for my spinach salad the next day for lunch. Pretty good, to get a dinner and lunch out of it. Try it sometime. I didn't even have to add any ground black pepper to it as I do with most prepared foods. That's how well-seasoned it was.
Two things found, one old and one new, in a week.
I find it a grace to discover or find something that adds something to my life - a new read, a new taste, perhaps, even a new exercise. It keeps me growing. If it's something good, it gets added to try again another time. If it turns out, not so good, well, one learns and it doesn't need to be repeated.
LH keeps saying, "You don't know what's in the pickle barrel, until you take the lid off!!" So, I keep an open mind, try to welcome new discoveries and continue to crack the lid on that pickle barrel!!
May the adventure of discovery, finding something old, something entirely new add spice and meaning to your life this summer, help you to grow, add to your wisdom, knowledge, spirit, but not your girth!

STEAK SAUCE

Speaking of things to recommend - Lea & Perrins Steak Sauce beats A-1 hands down!!!
It's too bad all the restaurants insist on using A-1 which I never liked instead of Lea & Perrins. I think once you've had L & P you won't go back to A-1. It's a better flavor that compliments a steak and doesn't cover it up.
By the way, TJ's Latkes are very good as is their Creamy Polenta with Spinach and Carrots which goes excellently with grilled Italian Sausage. Just something to consider in these summer months.
I'm also recommending that people stop being so lazy and actually use the turn signals on their cars. Is it too much to ask that you use basic rules of road when driving and have some courtesy to other drivers? I mean, I can't read minds and know that you want to change lanes or make a turn left or right when you are ahead of me. Do you people even know where the directional control is on your vehicle and that it is standard equipment? With all the traveling I'm doing, it is more and more apparent that drivers are either 1. lazy, 2. ignorant, 3. too absorbed in their own little world while in their vehicle, 4. on their phone. Pay attention people! You will cause an accident one of these days, and I hope it won't involve me! Out of 4 cars heading to the entrance ramp of the Interstate this morning, I was the only one whose right turn signal was on as I got into the turn lane for the entrance ramp. It is a sorry state of affairs when drivers are just to lazy or too oblivious to other drivers not to use their turn signals.
So there you have it, some recommendations as the week progresses. Not extremely spiritual, just some observations.

WHAT I'M READING:

I am in the midst of Steve Wolf's, Comet's Tale on my Kindle. I's a story about a rescued greyhound who in turn rescues Wolf who is debilitated with degenerative disk disease. I see a lot of my different greys in Comet. The book makes me miss Earl - our first grey, my soul mate and who was a Pet Pal volunteer at the big teaching hospital in the city on the North Shore.
I am enjoying this read.
The other is a little treasure, Marjorie Thompson's,The Gift of Encouragement; Restoring Heart to Those Who Have Lost It.
May what a wonderfully insightful book this is and with great prayers and practices. I encourage all pastors to read and have a copy of this little book full of such grace, and to be able to offer that grace and healing and encouragement to those who minister with in our churches or even as spiritual directors. It's worth every penny!!
I have also started Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg - just started it, like I'm about 5 pages into it.
I really don't like reading more than two books at a time - one for professional development and another to feed my soul. So, I think the last book will have to wait until I completely finish Marjorie Thompson's.
In the meanwhile, I am just waiting for November 5th, when the new installment of The Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency book comes out - The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon!! It's been two years since the last book came out and I have been hankering for another one. Just 16 weeks away! But a long wait since I am so eager to delve into the latest adventure and mystery solving of Precious Ramotswe and sink myself back into Botswana.
Hope you are enjoying your summer reads as well. What are your eyes alighting upon?

A STORMY AFTERNOON

gives me the chance to catch up on phoning some folks to check in on them, to prepare for Council this evening and to get in some reading.
It has felt like living in Florida these past two weeks with rain nearly every day. Yesterday evening the rain gauge registered 3 1/2 inches that fell after supper and before the late night news. During the night, between 3 & 4 am, it stormed again. Jazz came up and laid on the floor next to my side of the bed instead of in the dog bed at the foot of the bed. He hates thunderstorms. Renoir slept in his bed downstairs not at all perturbed.
After a very hectic June, it's nice to have a bit of breathing space. And ponder, stewardship for the fall and how to start a small Sunday School with old material.
And in the meanwhile, it's pouring and the steam is rising up from the paved parking lot and my van has been washed, clean, of dust, dirt and bug remains on the windshield. I am amazed at how lush it is here when usually at this point in the summer, everything starts looking rather peaked and dry. Even our lawn, full of native plants ( clover, crabgrass, and assorted others)is still green. I haven't had to water the garden or flower beds for the past 2 weeks which has been nice.
Last night a toad came to visit and rest on the front sidewalk leading up to the house and got baptized and seemed to enjoy the summer evening's rain and a bath. It's always good to see the toads knowing that they eat various and sundry critters around the garden and yard. I even noticed a couple of ladybugs this year in the herb garden, also welcome since they eat aphids. I wasn't too happy to see the slugs, but I suppose they, too, need a place to live. I may need to put down some more crushed egg shells which add calcium for the tomatoes and which the slugs detest.
The call committee at the church will be interviewing a couple of candidates and so it makes it hard for me to know how far into the fall I should plan. I suppose I'll be needing to update my dossier before too long and to see what God has in mind for me next. I weathered this one fairly well and they have settled into this interim time.
I keep hoping for somewhere to serve that would be a bit more permanent but then I am reminded that reminded that our good Lord had no place to rest his head and the disciples were always on the road as well. It seems that's how I am to spend my remaining years, forever wandering from place to place. Still it would be nice to have a few more hours, a pension, some medical insurance. It is as it is and I am grateful for each opportunity to serve, to stretch and grow, to be challenged and to keep on the move. I am, after all, in good company!!
For now, I will be content with the summer rain, the deep-throated rumbling of thunder, and the day that is yet before me.

WHAT DOES GALSHIP MEAN?

I don't rightly remember just how I stumbled onto RGBPs back in the summer of 2006. But somehow by the grace of God I did. I lurked for quite some time and through the lurking got to "know" the regulars and instigators - St. Casserole, Songbird, Cheesehead - whom I miss, Lutheran Chick, Yearning for God, Spooky Rach, Quotidian Grace, and others. When I wanted to comment, I realized I also needed an identity and to be a part of some very amazing clergy women. So, I found my voice and identity as I pastored a small, rural congregation whom I since left.
Being a non-techie required some extra help in getting my blog set-up and I confess, after all this time, I still haven't got the hang of how to do everything. I still have problems posting pictures - maybe because my computer doesn't recognize my camera card and I still can't put pictures on my computer. I could use a tutorial and help from a 12 year old!!!
But these Gals have been an inspiration and encouragement in my own spiritual and faith journey. The prayers have been wonderful and upbuilding. Ideas are shared. Ask the Matriarch, helpful. Although, I have not contributed much, I have been enriched by these great women struggling, serving, loving, challenging, and triumphant souls.
I count myself blessed to be but a very small part of such a wise and faithful ring of sisters. Thank you all! What a gift and grace you have been, are and continue to be though there be miles between us, though we have never met in person, though our positions differ, though we are diverse in denomination, politics, and even understandings, there is a respect and mutual honoring one of another. Thank you. Thanks be to God for you.

THANKS

Thanks for all of your prayers for my BIL who is still in the hospital and will be until Thursday. The procedure was mostly successful, but he will need to be on medication. We're just very grateful that all went well and he is recovering nicely. We love him dearly and want him around for a long time to come!!!
To think that 38 years ago he began dating my sister and shyly coming to our house - a young man, far from his home country of Switzerland and with a heavy accent who spoke more Swiss than English, and came to be a son-in-law who was more like an adopted son. Our family loved him and he loved our family. He knew exactly how to handle my Mom and he greatly admired my Dad. He even asked my Dad for permission to marry my sister. He has quirky sense of humor and works so hard and long hours managing his own business of freight forwarding. After they married, weekends were often spent at our home or their home with barbeques or grilled meats in the summer and dinners in the winter. My folks doted on their granddaughter and watched her often. Then came their grandson whom they lavished just as much attention and care.
Although, we often teased each other - and I am stilled owed one - for pushing him into the pool at my parent's house in Florida when he was fully dressed - just because he was just in the right place for it and never saw it coming!!! - he is family. He came down to Florida to help with cleaning out my Dad's condo after he passed away and drove the truck all the way to the North Shore of Ohio and then on to the Windy City. He is outgoing and private. A loving husband and a good father.
With my parent's both gone, he's still (aside from my sister) a strong connection and tie to my folks being a part of our family for so many years. He's the one who helped us navigate our way around Basel, knowing it very well and has been a source of strength to me since my parents' passing. I can't imagine he not being a part of our lives. I was just 17 when he married my sister and he has lived through all my dramas and traumas!!! He's the brother I never had growing up!!!
So, thanks to God and thanks for all the prayers as he continues to heal and get well.

PRAYERS WELCOMED -

My BIL is having a heart procedure done today and all prayers that all will go well are most certainly welcomed.
I had hoped to send a little edible fruit arrangement to the Lake House on Wednesday, but apparently the only fruit they can
deliver there is chocolate covered and not the cute little arrangement of fresh non-coated fruit. I. am. bummed. I suppose if they were home (Windy City) it would not have been a problem.
Guess it will just have to be a get well card. Sigh. I really wanted to do this for them. Meanwhile, I keep praying for him and the heart doctors who will be doing the procedure.
Thanks to you all.

TOO SHORT -
isn't that the way vacations are, too short! We really could have used an extra day or two. 6 days is way too short!
Part of it was, my sister and BIL were out of town when we arrived in the Windy City. I did get to see my niece though later that night. And I was fortunate enough to find lined wool slacks - black & grey - at the Talbots Outlet at a very good price!!!
Then it was up to WI the next morning with a stop at the Outlet Stores just over the IL border. Found a few items at Eddie Bauer and Coldwater Creek. Then onward to our favorite lunch stop - a Greek place just up the interstate - with the absolute best gyros ever, full of tasty lamb/beef.
Onward past Milwaukee and a stop at the grocery store to pick up needed items and then the few miles to the Lake House, where we were wowed by the expansion and remodeled kitchen and new guest bathroom that looks like a contemporary museum. The entry way is all new with wonderful tile floor that has a wood-looking tile running on diagonal two ways with lighter sand colored tile in between. Looks like wood planks intersecting the lighter tile.
It was chilly at the Lake and I saved my walk on the beach for the next day and it was lovely. We did manage to go to the small town with the artsy stuff. We actually bought a switchplate cover and socket cover for our 1/2 bath which I had admired for the past several years. It matches perfectly to out sage bathroom with oak cabinetry. Should have bought them 5 years ago!!!
Enjoyed a wonderful Fish Fry at a local place with my sister and BIL and niece who came up on Friday. The birthday flamingo was decorated not with a birthday hat, but with a mini foam cheese triangle I found at the cheese store!!! It was too funny!!!
My nephew and his wife arrived the next day in time for lunch and my niece's significant other arrived in time for dinner. We were a very full house, but in a good and satisfying way.
The Famer's Market had not yet much to offer, mostly onions, radishes, etc. I did find a Larkspur that I have to plant this weekend.
Dinner was grilled Cornish hens with a cole slaw salad I made, quinoa with roasted egg plant and zucchini which my niece made. So it was a community affair!!!
There was a croquet game over some very rocky, pitted and potholed turf - the construction was hard on the yard and the yard still needs to be landscaped, eventually this fall. My nephew and his wife were behind and decided to just play by wrecking havoc on everyone else. LH and I did manage to win which is unheard of - not for him, but for me. I am so used to losing that I couldn't even believe some of my good shots.
Although it did warm up some, Lake Michigan was still too cold to really get my feet wet and the one day, it got too chilly and choppy to kayak. Guess we may have to head there again, maybe later this year, maybe if we're fortunate enough.
Now, it's back to the holy grind and preparing for the 4th of July and company.
I am so grateful for the time away and to be with my family - nephew and his wife, niece & meeting her guy, my sister and BIL.

CRAZY BUSY -
That's how it's been in my little corner of the world.
After I returned home from the Presbytery event, I spent a day in the office catching up, and welcomed a friend from my seminary days later that afternoon. She and her daughter left late Friday morning to continue their journey to Michigan. They drove in all the way from Mass. (don't make me spell it!!)
Well, her daughter had a bug which stayed when they left. I was sick and am still coughing. My voice is barely above a whisper.
Last week was council, preparations for a wedding and the supply preacher for this coming Sunday. I had the wedding rehearsal
Friday evening and drove in extra for that and for the wedding on Saturday. I left the house at 11:30 am and returned home at 5;30 pm. Lots of extra time. I was also madly doing laundry for our vacation. I still have to pack.
I'm thinking of only being here this morning as I put in so much extra time last week. In retrospect, I should've taken today as vacation and we could have had an extra day. Had a couple things to do and line up before I leave, so I guess it all works out.
I find that I am just simply tired. Most of it due to the bug and straining my vocal chords. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and a couple good reads along the way. I know this less than a week away just isn't enough, but it will have to do for now.
I need my time away to see a change in scenery, to refresh, recharge, renew. I know that we will visit a small town with some craft shops - there is a new agey crosses the world religions line store that always seems to soothe and speak to my spirit. There is a wonderful pottery shop that refreshes my spirit and delights my eyes and heart.
And of course, some walks along the beach that simply does wonders for my soul. I think it'll be too cold and too cool to actually venture in. I'm hoping just to get my toes wet!!!
Since my niece and nephew will be celebrating their birthdays, I prepared a birthday flamingo (yes, one of those plastic yard ones) and made a yellow birthday hat for it, two different signs - one for each birthday ( one one day, the other the next), and a lei ponytail holder that slips over the neck and worn as a lei!!! I have kazoo's for everyone! I even made two photo albums. I had planned to give my niece and nephew these photo albums around their 30th birthdays. But my niece's 30th got eclipsed by her brother's wedding in England. So, now the nephew is turning 30 and I had to give my niece her's as well. Since they will both have their spouse or significant other with them - it'll be the perfect "embarrass them to death" opportunity!!! Actually, the photo albums were my Mom's. She didn't really keep up with them, but saved their birth announcements, baptismal service, etc.
I supplied a couple extra photos that probably my sister doesn't have in the albums & photo boxes she has for her kids. The photo albums my Mom had were those old ones with the sticky page and sheet that went over the pictures. Not archival quality. My Dad had taken several polaroids and thankfully, they were all in great condition and I was able to peel off the photos without too much trouble. I've known for years that I needed to get those pictures out of those old albums. Finally, accomplished!!
So, as you can see, it's been crazy busy and I am ready for a bit of a rest before the family all descends at the Lake House and it becomes a chaotic something going on every minute weekend with 8 of us all together!!!
May blessings abound in the further craziness that is still yet before me!!

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
During this time apart and away, I noticed that prayer I seem to pray most is: "Lord, help me not to screw things up too much."
Along with praying for God's wisdom and help, this is the prayer I pray most often. I think it was having to play piano for the retreat that brought me this noticing. I believe it will be a prayer that I will continue to pray the whole of my life!!!

DENOMINATIONAL CONNECTING TIME -
It has been a hectic time for me as I have split myself between two denominations.
First, was the Lutheran Synod Assembly over a two day period. Hearing what some churches are doing is always inspiring and encouraging. Having a wonderful, gifted bishop re-elected by an overwhelming majority on the second ballot was a great joy.
Although I couldn't vote, I took the voting time as a time to pray silently for my brothers and sisters in Christ known as ELCA Lutherans, for the Synod and for the work, presence and power of Christ to be with and among the Synod and the Assembly and in the voting. It was good.
I also had time to reconnect with folks I've known along the way, clergy and lay alike, from past congregations I have served or congregations my husband has served. It was good. I enjoyed the morning worship and remembering our baptism on the first day.
After Sunday worship, I packed my bags, for a Presbytery-wide retreat on restructuring our Presbytery. It was to be time apart in a neighboring state at a wonderfully, gracious, holy place infused with hospitality by the nuns. Three intense days of reimagining, of worship, of consolation and desolation, of a variety of MB types, and Gallup strengths, and Change Indictors. As with all God's people - a varietal mix and all needed and honored. Together with pastors and ruling elders under the able gifted and affirming leadership of our GP and others, with God's very real presence and the work of God's own Spirit, we came to lift up three legs for our Presbytery to do its work and ministry in a spiritual way rather than the corporate model way. A breath of life!!!
Since not the whole Presbytery could be gathered, we did miss a few folks whose wisdom, insight and gifts would have been welcomed. I continue to be amazed at how gifted our people are and what a forward looking Presbytery this is. We are tired of too much structure that strangles the Spirit to work and to dance among us.
It was a surprise to be asked to play piano for our worship time, since there seemed to be no one else. I haven't really played much in a couple of years. Oh, to get my fingers moving over the keyboard again! I apologized for all the mistakes that would occur and inviting them to sing over these mistakes!!! Actually, since most of the songs were from Taize and contemplative - it made it much easier for me. There was one new song out of our denomination sampler (new hymnal due out this fall), that I was not familiar with and when I asked who was, not one hand went up!!! We give it our best and that is one to try again sometime.
Our last evening after much intensity, a few hurt feelings, although that still confounded me and most others, a spontaneous communion service transpired. One of the groups presenting a skit, brought bread, broke it and passed it out to their group members and then gave their pieces of bread back and made the bread, although broken, whole again. Fractured but back together again. So the bread was there and there was wine.
One of the planning team members who lead worship, was put on the spot, to officiate communion. I suggested a wonderful Taize song as a way to center us for communion - The Lord is my light, my light and salvation, in God I trust. Truly needed and inspired by God's Spirit. We gathered around in a circle and the bread was passed one to another, while the worship leader followed with the cup for intinction. And spontaneously, someone begin to sing that Taize song and we sang it continuously until the last one communed. It became prayer. Not just the usual Presbyterian sing it three times and that's enough. It was beautiful, healing, encouraging. It was the pure Love and utter grace of Christ present and given to us.
There is still much yet before us, but the whole assembly desired a retreat next year with time and space for quiet and renewal, and spiritual direction. Finally, after 14 years, since my certification as a spiritual director, our Presbytery, our people are getting it!!!! To trust the slow work of God, sometimes.
It is exciting, renewing, scary, to create and re-create, to transform, to be more grounded and listening to God and to live into the Mystery and even of unknowing. Terribly difficult for us J's, but something I have been doing these past 14 years. And, it will not be easy, but it will be transforming.
I pray that our Presbytery will continue their journey, grounded in God, open to God's Spirit, rooted in the love of Christ, and willing to go forward in new ways so that the body of Christ which are our churches, and our Presbytery will thrive (and not necessarily in numbers - which is always welcome0 but in depth of discipleship and mission and living into our calling.
It was a rich time away and apart to be a part of both denominational gatherings, to know their similar struggles and their same desire to be faithful disciples and witnesses in this ever changing world and culture.
Thanks be to God who renews, brings life and brings to life more than we can ever imagine!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - DOGS, CATS OR WHAT?

In my experience in the United States, people are either "Dog People" or "Cat People." As the graph above illustrates, not everyone is limited to those types of animals. So I am wondering about pets and experiences with them.

1. Are you a DOG or a CAT person? Or OTHER?
Definitely a dog person.

2. Who were the pets of your childhood and what were they like?
We had some goldfish that we usually won at the annual school carnival. When I was seven, we finally got a puppy, a fox terrier
mix we named Rex. He loved to go camping and hiking and we took him with us on every camping trip all over the US. He made his
last trip to Glacier National Park when I was 17. It was in Atlantic City, IA on our way home to Chicago, when we had to put
him down due to congestive heart failure. He was a great family dog and dearly loved.

3. What pets do you have now?
Two greyhounds - retired, rescued racers, Jazz and Renoir.

4. Have you ever had any unusual pets in your household or visit your home?
We did have turtles along with the gold fish. Those were the days you could buy turtles at a cheap department store in town.
They never did seem live all that long though. Then, of course, came the issue of salmonella and they were no longer
available.

5. What have you learned from your pets? Give one recent example, if possible.
Every dog has given and taught me much. Rex was a confident and friend as I was growing up.
Earl - our first greyhound - rescued from a breeder that was shut down by the state of IL and very underweight when we got
him, was my soul mate. He had stared death in the face and was not fearful of anything. He was quiet but loving. He
spooned with me in bed and was a Pet Pal at the Children's Hospital in Cleveland. He taught me courage and patience,
and gifted me with a connection unlike any other, full of trust and companionship.
Baruch - our Beagle was a cutie with velvet ears and stubborn nature. He was a handful and full of the dickens! Always into
everything. He provided comfort and much amusement. He lived to be over 16 years old. He taught me, that God made
Beagles cute because they are so full of the dickens and God made greyhounds not so cute because they have such wonderful
natures. He also taught me that I would never have a beagle again. He was loved and spoiled!
Benny - our second grey - was a sweet and gentle as could ever be. He wouldn't hurt a fly. He knew every swear word and ran from
them and every clanking pot or dropped object that made a noise. He got better over time. He taught me to be more
gentle. He'd bark at the neighbor Dad whenever he yelled at this kids. Benny didn't like yelling. He didn't bark
really, except when he heard those kids being yelled at. I've never known a sweeter, gentler being than Benny.
Jett - our third grey was a looker, a charmer. He got by on his good looks - a beautiful fawn colored grey. He thought he
was still a lap dog. He was obviously well-treated and loved by his trainer, handler and owner. He would stand in
your lap straddling your legs and pressed up against you. He forgot that weighed 72 lbs and was way to big to really
be on your lap. He got away with a few sneaky things being the handsome fellow he was. Jett could charm the socks
off anyone!!! He charmed us and loved his chest rubs. He taught me to take time to be loved and that with good looks you
can get away with just a little scolding. He was an endearing soul and a bit sneaky - ate my sandwich off my plate while
I answered the doorbell!
Jazz - our fourth grey is goofy and has an irrepressible spirit. He's an overgrown, over-aged puppy. He bounces and wags his
tail with great enthusiasm even at age 9 and still runs laps! He gets excited over everything and loves to be hugged
and get his neck scratched. He teaches me to keep a playful, youthful spirit.
Renoir - our fifth and newest grey is a bit of an enigma. He is quiet, fearful of the outside world, wary of strangers. He
doesn't fully trust me yet, but it is coming slowly. We've had him for a year and a half. He's really quite a good
dog. He's the laziest grey ever. He doesn't do laps or play much with toys, just plasters himself to his LL Bean
bed - safe spot and secure. He is quick, strong and can turn on a dime. When he runs in the yard, he shoots off,
stops, and comes back with a quickness and tight turn that amazes. He's the one who pulled me down last
June and caused the quad rupture. He loves to have his thighs rubbed and massaged - must have had that done during
his racing career. He is teaching me to be stronger and he is learning to trust more.


BONUS: Pictures or anything else related to animals you love.

A Spirited Pentecost -
All in all it was a good Pentecost Sunday which followed on the heels of a Presbytery meeting which entailed a two hour drive one way and having to leave early, so I could make dinner and go over all I needed for Sunday. We honored 5 young people who graduated from HS. I gave them my bits of wisdom in keeping faith that I roll into "diploma" and tie with a ribbon. They also received a cross bookmark with the words from Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you..." printed on them. Then, one youth was confirmed in his faith, wearing a white robe with a red carnation corsage. He joined the choir just last month and whether he realizes it fully or not, is indeed, living into his faith and using his God-given gifts for the good of the faith community. All in his quiet way. I made a cheeseball and brought crackers for the coffee hour for folks who want to avoid sugary cake and treats or can't have them. The service went very well, although a bit longer with the graduate recognition and the confirmation. But, there was good energy and we had some extra folks with and among us, even a family visiting whose youngest daughter will be baptized next Sunday after worship and Sunday School. Thanks be to God for the gift of God's Spirit and a wonderful celebration of young lives nurtured and growing in faith.

Why Not to Use Our Oven -
We are still awaiting the range repairman who has since told us that they are still awaiting the part. Sigh. It's been two weeks.
LH and I decided to make a cole slaw salad on Friday. It calls for some toasted slivered almonds, which I had. I place some on the pizza baking sheet on a piece of foil - saves having to wash the pizza sheet.
LH said the repairman told him how to operate the oven without the display. OK. He touched bake (the oven is set at 350 degrees as the default setting, you can go up and down from there). After several minutes, he checked the oven and it was still cold. So he hit cancel. Then he hit bake and one touch on the up arrow. And we heard the oven click on. Hurray! It beeped when it hit 350 degrees, great! I put the almonds in for about 4-5 minutes for a light toasting. We check on them in 4 minutes and the almonds were black charcoal bits on the pizza sheet and there was that awful burnt smell. I had just made bits of charcoal in under 4 minutes! I don't know what happened but obviously, the repairman was wrong and we shouldn't use the oven at all!!!! Lesson learned. Thankfully, it was just a few small nut slivers and not something major like a casserole, meat, or potatoes or corn bread!!! Or heaven forbid, my brownies!!!
Looks like we have to wait some more before our oven is functional again. Just like we're still waiting on the drywaller.
What is it with repairs and service people that takes so long to respond to phone calls and getting parts? Indeed it is a mystery to me. I return calls in a timely manner. It's just unbelievable at times.
I had planned to bake a batch of cookies this Thursday to take to the Therapy Center where I am still working out as a thank you since this will be my last full week there. I don't see that happening now. I will have to bake them after the oven is fixed and then just drop them off after the fact.
I just wonder how much longer it will be...

ONE OF THOSE WEEKS -
As if the car repair wasn't enough, LH called me two days that same week at work, letting me know that we had a leak in the entryway by the den. He could tell by the quarter-sized discoloration of the ceiling. The plumber comes Friday morning, cuts a whole in the ceiling and finds the leak. He points out the stalagtyte that had formed on the PVC pipe. Ok, it was small, but still that meant for the last ten years there's been that drip to make that mineral formation. He points to the PVC joint he cut out that the pipe wasn't glued all the way around just on one spot. Great! No way the inspector for plumbing when the house was built was gonna catch that one. A couple Ben Franklin's later, and the leak is fixed. Just a hole in the ceiling remains.
LH has been leaving messages for the drywaller for 10 days.
That weekend LH announces that we must've lost power since the stove display wasn't on. I didn't recall seeing the microwave display blinking. Turns out, the stove display panel is gone, kaput. The repairman has to order a new panel which will take at least a week. Meanwhile, we can't use the stove, since we have no way of knowing really what temperature it is or when the oven is preheated to that mystery temperature whose number is not displayed.
I'm beginning to think LH is spending far too much time at home!!!! He calls me with nothing but depressing news of things going wrong in the house!!!! It's time he finds a new position!!!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - MAY PLAY EDITION:

It's May! And it smells so good outside. I can close my eyes and remember the golden hours after dinner as the days grew later and later, and we got to play outside until called home. It makes me want to go outside right now and play!

Of course, not all of us are in the northern hemisphere... plenty of RevGals and Pals are experiencing a season that is turning cold and blustery.

So to all of you, wherever you may be, how will you (or would you like to) play this month?

1. Tell about your favorite outdoor play
In May, I'm usually playing in the dirt! Pulling weeds, planting herbs, flowers, seeds, and tomatoes.
I do like to play croquet with the family at the Lake House, even though I usually lose.

2. Tell about your favorite indoor play
I've always like board games. However, with just LH and me, my play revolves around reading, or doing a crafty project.
I do play a dice word game from Switzerland. Just thirteen dice with letters and values and you put the dice together like
Scrabble. Course the words will be short as you join the dice together vertically and horizontally. It helps to keep my
mind thinking. Then, again, I do play a form of Solitaire on the computer way more than I should!!!

3. Tell about a game you (or your friends) created
I don't think we really created any games. We played the usual - Mother May I?; Red Light, Green Light; Freeze Tag; TV Tag;
Hide & Seek; Ghosts in the Graveyard; Kickball; and Badminton. Lots of outdoor games in Spring & Summer.

4. Tell about a game that is new to you
I played Jenga last year for the first time and lost every round up at the Lake House. For New Year's, I bought a Jenga and
my sister, BIL, LH and I played and we kept it going for a long time and the tower was really, really high. I did better
that night and didn't lose!

5. Tell how you would like to incorporate play into your workday
Sometimes, after working on items that tax the brain, I'll do a few rounds of Forty Thieves - a form of Solitaire and my
favorite - just to unwind and refocus. Or, I have gone to JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, Pat Catan's to look around and get ideas or
spark imagination. Most nights, I unwind with some TV - especially The Big Bang Theory!!!!

CHANGE OF PLANS -
It started out as an ordinary morning. I drove onto the interstate to make my hour commute to the church. After I accelerated to the usual 65 mph I felt a vibration in the steering wheel and an odd feel in the tires. I took the very next exit and pulled into a gas station to have a look at the tires. All seemed fine. There was a bit of a hot rubber smell but I could see nothing amiss. I drove back onto the expressway and accelerated up to 70 mph and again, the same odd vibration and feel. Fortunately, two exits later (only a couple miles away) and I slowed to 60 mph, there was a dealership. They are always very busy. And costly. The one gent took it for a test drive with me down the interstate to the next exit. He, too, felt the vibration. It would take quite awhile some expense to have it looked at. He thought it might be a wheel weight out of whack. I called LH and drove it back to our town and the tire store that does all our service. By then, the hot rubber smell was evident. After a bit of wait, the manager, who knows me by name, had it up on the rack and pointed out that the left back tire was frozen and couldn't move. It's now in the process of getting a new drum which had frozen up. An expense we didn't need at the moment, but then, when do we ever need such an expense?
LH came and picked me up and I've had a work day from home - working on a sermon and making phone calls. I feel bad that I wasn't able to go in today, but good, in that I am able to do some of my work from home. Mostly, I am thankful, that this didn't happen yesterday, on the way to worship or on the drive home, far from home in the pouring rain. Truly, I am grateful that the service station could take me right way and work on it, even it means that it blew any chance of my being in the office today.
So, a change of plans but it didn't upset me greatly or blow my gasket. Just one of those things that happen that are an inconvenience. The van wasn't damaged nor I. Just odd being home on Monday and will have to get some extra things done on Wednesday - like print out words for worship, and the next Sunday School lesson.
Although my plans were changed for the day, I am thankful. Sometimes, changes of plans, beyond our control, can be blessings in disguise!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE HEALING SPACE -

So, with the events of the violence and tragedy from the Boston Marathon fresh in our memories, I thought it would be good for us to focus on where as RevGalBlogPals, we find healing, peace and strengthening. As a chaplain, there are days where I never seem to catch my breath, and invariably, those are the days that I need it the most! So with all this in mind, share with us these healing things

1. A piece of music -
Vivaldi is very healing for me.

2. A place -
Home, because it is most accessible. However, by a lake or ocean is the most healing spot for me. There is something so
soothing in the waves lapping against the shore.

3. A favorite food (they call it "comfort food" for a reason)-
That would be chocolate, Swiss Chocolate, the kind that simply melts in your mouth the moment you put it in your mouth,
full of richness and utter goodness.

4. A recreational pastime (that you watch or participate in)-
Reading, journaling or watching TV, preferable the Big Bang Theory for an erudite laugh! Oh, stroking and petting my
wonderful greys - Jazz and Renoir!!! They are the best therapy and always make me feel better.


5. A poem, Scripture passage or other literature that speaks to comfort you.
"And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

BONUS: People, animals, friends, family - share a picture of one or many of these who warm your heart.

OBAMA PHONE OUTRAGE -
I knew it would come to this. Those with Obama phones are now able to send and receive 250 texts a month.
That may not seem like many, but they now have the capability to text on their free phones.
LH and I have worked all our lives, saved, lived simply, pay our bills on time, have had to pay for some of our
health insurance, home, life and car insurance, and have a mortgage. We are responsible, educated citizens trying to make our way in life. With LH between positions and I serving a part-time position we barely make ends meet. I have a flip phone and don't pay for the ability to text or receive texts.
And here, those who are on welfare, who might need a phone, not only receive a free phone but the ability to text! Something isn't right here. My phone and all of you, others, have been subsidizing Obama phones. I am paying for someone to text when even I don't have the money to pay for that luxury. But I am expected to pay for someone else to have that access and ability. It doesn't make sense to me at all. I have a cell phone, mainly for emergencies or when I am not at a landline. I never use all the minutes in my plan. But, I am paying for someone on welfare to text and talk. Yes, I am somewhat miffed and angry about this and everyone who pays for their phones should be as well.
Perhaps, LH and I should give up and go on welfare, at least that way, we can get free phones and not only talk but also text.

THE GREENING -
The grass is green as green can be! The meadow is carpeted in green. It is simply beautiful. I know that when summer comes, the grass will get brown and the weeds will be growing and green and the sparseness of our front lawn will have no curb appeal. But for now, I am content with how green it all looks at the moment. And I am savoring the greenness.
The first tulip has bloomed and the others are not far behind. The grape hyacinths are blooming as well. The bee balm is growing and spreading and the poppy bush is growing by leaps and bounds. The weeping cherries are blossoming and the Bradford Pear trees that line our street will be blooming in showy white before too long. I have already pulled weeds and there are more cropping up.
It all gladdens the heart and spirit.
The fact that we will have to purchase health insurance in July at more than 1/2 my monthly salary, which also must pay for mortgage, utilities, food and gas will not dampen me today. God is still holding up the hammock dangling over the abyss for us and I am grateful. Somehow, some way, God will guide us through this lean time of not enough.
All around me there will be an abundance of life and I struggle to trust that God will open a way for us.
It didn't help that a dress I was drawn to, was 20 percent off and the size I thought I needed had already sold out and only the larger size was available. I ordered it anyway and lo and behold, it fits perfectly. Turns out it runs a bit small and so, it was mean to be. I was hoping to be able to wear it for a birthday celebration for my godmother at a birthday gathering in Switzerland this August. I'm not sure that we will be going. Only if LH has a position by then. We will need to make flight arrangements next month.
For now, I am content and will not let anxiety or fear overrun my spirit.
My the greening of creation be something you savor today and give thanks to God.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - RANDOM IS BACK!

Can you believe it is April 12???? Have you finished your taxes? Here in Boston, the city is abuzz with Boston Marathon anticipation. We are finally hearing birds chirp in the morning, and even though it was in the low thirties last night, many of us are bravely sporting open-toed sandals. None of this has anything to do Friday Five, except randomness. So, in that spirit.......

1. How are you doing? What's going on in your life?
LH finished his interim and we are down to one part-time income. Things will be pretty tight for a few weeks. The upside -
he will do the housework!!!! I hope he won't drive me crazy being around all time! Sigh. Just not quite ready for that!

2. Have you ever resigned from a position? What was the good-bye like?
Yes. It was very difficult to leave folks I had grown to love.

3. So, we are still resurrecting...still getting used to New Life!! What is a source of new life for you?
Watching the garden awaken from its winter slumber. Slowly, bit by bit, things are greening, growing, flowering.

4. My friend is running the marathon on Friday, because it is on her bucket list. What is something on your bucket list?
Going to Alaska, seeing the Northern Lights, and revisiting Greece.

5. Tell us about one precious thing (tangible) you keep around your house, your altar, your pocket, and what is its story?
My garden inukshuk that I built from stones ( a couple imported from Lake Michigan in Wisconsin!!). I had a wooden inukshuk
but it disappeared at the last church I served. I have yet to find it and think that someone took it.

As always, tell us you played in the comments so we can come over and visit!
Happy Friday, every one?

FIRST SQUIRREL -
This morning I saw the first squirrel in our neighborhood. Perhaps, that's not earthshattering news to most folks, but here, in this newer subdivision we have been squirrel-free for 10 years. The trees are still fairly young, but getting established. I have often wondered how long it would take for squirrels to arrive. Apparently, ten years to migrate either from the street across the meadow or from the woods adjacent to our subdivision just down the street.
Jazz saw the scoundrel first and because he became alert looking out the sliding glass doors to the backyard, I looked out the kitchen window to see what he noticed. The squirrel was running along the top of the fence and then down the fence into the neighbor's yard and into the meadow.
This squirrel will drive our greys crazy if it decides to make its home nearby. There are also three cats that wander around our street and plenty of dogs reside in our neighborhood.
So, it appears that we are pretty much an established neighborhood that has finally attracted the attention of the squirrel population.

THE RISEN CHRIST AMONG US...
It was just a quick glimpse on Easter Sunday morning while I was preaching at the early service about the idle tale of the women witnesses to the Resurrection. It took my breath away, shook me to the core of my being, stunned and amazed me, made me look again, and all within a second of time - or a brief eternity of a moment that grabs hold of you and shouts, "notice!"
It was the appearance of the risen Christ sitting in a pew! Or so it looked like, and that's what took my breath away, stunned me for an instant, without losing my place in my sermon or preaching. I moved my eyes again to that side of the sanctuary, and this is what I saw that explained it all.
A mother with brown shoulder length hair sitting in the pew with her son on her lap. His thick curly dark brown head bowed and covering the lower portion of her face. What I initially saw was an image of Jesus - ok so it was typical depiction - long hair to the shoulder, and a beard. It looked like the risen Christ in that instant. I looked again to see if it was a visitor who had snuck in and slipped into the pew. But it was this mom and her son who at that precise moment when my eyes made contact with that
side of sanctuary, caught them just as her head was up and her son's was bowed - creating a blending of the two - into a man with a beard.
Of course, I had to look again and then, realized it was the two of them and their head positions by then had moved.
But for an instant, the risen Christ was sitting in the pew with us this Easter morning. The risen Christ and ever-living Lord among us and with us!What a marvelous image! It took my very breath away and yet, stayed with me all day.
Had I not prayed on the night drives home on Thursday and Friday that I missed my Lord, that if he would, remember me.
And there he appeared, Easter Sunday morning, sitting in the pew, with us and among us if just for the briefest of instances and the blending of a mother and her son.
Ahh, the images and symbolism are rife with meaning and glory, hope and joy, love and grace, death and life! And I was there to witness this, the only one in the crowd from my vantage point. I can't share it, people will think I'm weird, a bit off my rocker. But oh, how much it meant, how it grabbed me, scared me, delighted me, and gave me so much to ponder this Easter morning.
I finished preaching my sermon, served communion with a smile for this was the feast of victory, taught Sunday School class and lead another worship service preaching the same sermon without the added bonus of a glimpse of the risen Lord. But I knew he was there, with us and among us, sharing his life with us.

Lent has gotten away from me.
Somehow I wasn't really feeling Palm Sunday, although I did preach with conviction. I felt less of conviction within me.
I have prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free Spirit." One of the Lutheran responses that has stuck me through the years. Yet, new life seems to elude me and us. Perhaps, I have been stuck in an ongoing Lent so long - that being in the actual calendar season of Lent feels no different.
Perhaps, part of it is due to the prolonged winter and slow coming of spring. Last Saturday it was near 50 degrees, and I pulled two dandelions that had no business being in my flowerbed. I broke down some of the still standing stems of flowers cut down before winter. I pulled grass that has invaded my flower beds. I sprinkled fertilizer in my garden bed knowing the coming snow and its melting would work the fertilizer into the ground. It felt good to clear away some of the winter debris and to see the crocuses finally blooming if just for a day.
Perhaps, this ongoing Lent in my life, is a continual clearing out of debris and a yearning longing for fresh and new life. I keep hoping for new life, and trying hard to keep from being discouraged and disheartened. It is not easy. What little confidence I had has evaporated in the elusive and ever moving mists of hope that is just a wisp of promise with no tangible touchstone of reassurance from above.
I have even flunked at Flunking Sainthood in that I have not yet finished this book and here it is the middle of Holy Week.
How I long for the fresh breath of new life and for Easter to break in and break through and not merely tenuously hanging on by a mere thread of tarnished and fraying hope.
Maybe Easter will come this year, this week, next month. I hope, I hope, I hope...and pray.

FRIDAY FIVE - TECHNOLOGY
Jan notes that she will be sans wifi, tv, and telephone while visiting parents, in-laws who are in a care facility.
For this Friday Five, let us explore our use of and desire for such items.

1. What types of technologies, like cell phones, computers, tvs, etc., do you routinely use? How frequently?
The computer/internet, cell phone, and TV.

2. What social media and/or games do you like to play? How often? On which device do you occupy yourself? Which method of social media do you prefer?
Mostly a version of Solitaire on-line and usually most days. I'm on the computer of that. I do have a Facebook page for
friends and family.

3. Do you separate online activities between home and work? Or is it all the same everywhere?
Normally, although I do check my email, and will play a couple rounds of Solitaire to clear my head after working up
liturgies or when I may need to ruminate on, say, a newsletter article.

4. Do you have a smart (or I-) phone?
Nope, I have a OFP - Old Folks Phone - a clamshell without internet or texting. Guess I'll be upgrading in the fall as
most everyone has a smart phone and there are times when it would be really handy. Just wish it wasn't so expensive.

5. What do you wish you had--or do not have--in relation to these devices?
Well, I guess I answered that in the question above!!! A smart phone!

Bonus: What is the difference between your attitude towards these means of technology and a generation older or younger than you?
Let's see, I can do a bit more than the generation older than I on the computer and internet. I am technologically
challenged by those younger than I. I don't text, I still haven't got the knack of posting pictures, and I still have
to learn Excell. I grew up when there weren't computers in the homes and had to learn as an adult as I went along. Much
harder that way than using it in school and growing up with them.

A LONG LENT -
Lent seems long this year, for whatever reason. Perhaps, it's the stiff-necked folks at the church, the wounded ones who found it easier to leave or stay away, rather than come together, heal and work through the issues. Most want to move on and move forward. The one thoroughly wounded and perhaps, in some ways, a bit dysfunctional, wants healing, only it will never be the way it was before what happened. Unfortunately, this one has not found the way to leave, which would have solved much of the issue.
This one wanted to meet with me Sunday, after two worship services, adult Sunday School and Confirmation class. At that point, I really wouldn't have much to give her, namely my presence, and any wisdom only God can provide. So, I suggested Monday, late afternoon, where I can be more present and centered. Of course, that means I won't be home for dinner. I won't be home for dinner Tuesday either due to a committee meeting for which I drive in extra. I won't be home for dinner on Wednesday due to midweek Lenten potluck and service. I had planned to leave earlier on Monday, to make up for extra time on Tues. I'm hoping I can leave earlier the following Monday, especially since the following Tues. I have to drive in extra for the church council meeting. Part-time is never part-time, and the hour commute one way and all the extra miles and gas are adding up very quickly.
I do enjoy some challenge. I do enjoy serving. But, I have given so much more than for which I am compensated. So, this Lent is feeling long. Perhaps, that may change as the calendar flips to March and all of the Holy Week services need to be completed.
Maybe its because the cold is still lingering and I am ready for some warmer temps - I'd be happy with 48 degrees!!!
I journey through this long Lent one day, one small step at a time. May the journey lead to new life.

ANOTHER YEAR -
older. Sigh. But better to celebrate another birthday than not to have one. I am grateful for another birthday.
Some days, I feel old. I look at a local church's candidate for minister - young, positive, full of energy and life and kind of an overachiever. It makes me feel old. I'm not techie. I still have some energy, but not like a 30 year old. I have been around the block a few times, I have carried the suffering of others, I have suffered two very dark nights of the soul myself, I have celebrated great joys, and have known great disappointment. I simpy cannot compete with this candidate.
Through it all, I trust that God will lead me to serve somewhere. This position has been a handful and they are more wounded than they want to admit. I can only look to God to lead me to bring healing and hope, to bind up the broken hearted, and help the afflicted. I ache for them. I ache for our churches who struggle to be faithful in such a time as this, beset with so many challenges.
But for today, I will lay that aside. I will simply be grateful for another year to take in the beauty of creation, the beauty of love, and the grace in which i live, move and have my being. There will be a dinner out! No cooking for me today! And some chocolate to celebrate! And cards and calls from my family. I am truly blessed to be here, to be serving even if only part-time in a trying situation, and that my van with over 100,000 miles on it carries me faithfully and well every week. We may be showing
some signs of wear and tear, but we still have what it takes. A little rusted, a bit dinged and cracked, but for the most part, we still run and run smoothly. Not bad for an old van and a middle-aged clergy!!!!

RGBP'S SNEAKY FRIDAY FIVE:

1) What is sneaking up on you, and what have you been thinking about?
Lent. It starts this Wednesday with Ash Wednesday. Still have some photocopying to do for the
the first Sunday in Lent and for the mid-week Wednesday potlucks and services. Every year, Lent and Advent
sneak up on me. I plan ahead, but then all of a sudden, the season is right smack in front of you.


2) What will you have for lunch today?
What did I have? Spinach salad with ham, muenster cheese, pico de gallo, avocado and lite ranch dressing.
Had a few multi-grain saltines with it. Beverage of choice: ice water. Bowl of blueberries for dessert.
The Boston Butt Pork Shoulder is cooking away in the crock pot for pulled pork sandwiches for dinner tonight,
along with brocoslaw.


3) If you were to get snowed in for two days, and you need to hunker down, what essentials and treats would you store up?
Chocolate. Oops, we're already stored up on that!!! Probably milk for LH, spinach and Rooiboss tea for me. And ingredients
for baking chocolate chip cookies. I always get the urge to bake when snowed in.


4) Tell me a story about one awesome thing you have experienced in the last couple of weeks.
Seeing the five deer frolicking through the meadow one morning. We don't see them very often and it is special to
see them. Such graceful creatures and cute. (as long as they don't eat up my garden!!!- which they haven't as we have
a fenced in yard and they've never gotten that close.)
And reading the interview with Joyce Rupp in SDI Presence Journal - she is just such a gifted, insightful, faithfilled
person and she inspires me be better.


5) What is your favorite office supply to splurge on? (now THAT is random, right?)
Mostly paper - copy paper of various colors, post its (or similiar product) that come in different designs and colors,
card stock for projects (Lenten bookmarks for each parishioner, and Lectio Divina bookmarks for Wed. Lenten suppers).
A close second would be pens, especially ir it is a brand I like. I also have about 5 pens on me - Pentel WOW retractable
ball points and Bottle2Pen gel pens that write even when stored in a cold vehicle (for recording mileage & gas expense).

FEBRUARY -
A short, cold, often snowy month!
This month will find me busy with a Congregational meeting, Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, midweek Lenten potlucks and services,and a birthday. There will be much going on for such a short month.
It is cold and snowy. We are expecting up to 4 inches today and I'm hoping the hour commute home will not be overly challenging.
This morning I was given a surprise while making coffee. I looked out the kitchen window (over the sink) and lo, and behold, 5 deer were scampering through the meadow. The greys had just come in and barked at them as the movement of the deer caught their eyes and attention!! Haven't seen any up to this point and it was a delight to watch them.
Have to clean up my annual report, make some copies for mid week Lenten services and re-send the Ash Wednesday service.
So, on to the fun tasks at hand while praying I make it home safe and sound later today.
May your day begin blessed and graced with the beauty that only God can create.

NEVER AGAIN FRIDAY FIVE -

Perhaps you have tried something that everyone assured you was SO MUCH FUN!!! and you swore on a stack of Bibles that you would never ever be dragged to said activity ever again. Was it horseback riding? Rappelling? Ballet class when you were 7?

So share with us 5 Supposedly Fun Things You'll Never EVER Do Again. You may find some commiserating souls among us. A bonus if you share pictures.

1. White water rafting - I rafted the New River once. It was a 2 day trip with
class 4 rapids. Paddling toward impending doom is not my
idea of great fun.

2. Kayaking - tried it on Lake Michigan. Needs a lot of balance. I was promptly
overturned and dumped into the Lake. I'd rather swim than kayak
any day.

3. Sailing in a wee Sunfish - once in Seminary with a colleague off Cape Cod. We
went out further from shore than I was comfortable
with. A huge ocean in a tiny boat. Once was enough.

4. Driving to Key West - it wasn't so much the driving, but the driving OVER the
bridges OVER the water that unnerved me. I had the driving
shift that lead us over bridges and bridges. On the way
back, LH drove and I kept my head in a book. Driving over
high bridges over water is a bit of a phobia for me.

5. Making my own Hummus - followed the recipe exactly, from soaking chickpeas
overnight, and adding Tahini. LH and I sat down to dinner
on a very hot summer evening with no air conditioning and
tried to eat the mortar I made. Impossible. You could've
used that hummus to lay bricks! First and last time I
tried to make it. Now you can buy it ready made at the
grocery store and soft enough to actually eat!!!!

Observation - 4 out of the 5 involve water. I love water. I love to swim. Apparently,
it's being in a boat that I can't control that's the issue. Also,
high bridges over water or watery gorges aren't my thing at all.
Funny, cruising on a big boat doesn't bother me at all.

FRIDAY FIVE - SMILE!

For this Friday Five, what makes you smile? Remembering that Meister Eckhart said that if you pray "thank you" that that is enough of a prayer, share with us five things, memories, or activities that bring you smiles and gratitude.

1. When the greys want attention or a rub! They can be so cute and sweet, it just
makes me smile.

2. A watercolor rainbow after a rainfall. Never ceases to cheer me.

3. Being with LH, the comfort of his presence in bed next to me warms me with a smile.

4. A good joke: One gentleman recalls that when his back seized up, he called his
doctor's office explaining that he was a minister and was in too
much pain to deliver his sermon. Could they help? The woman on
the other end asked him to hold. The next thing he heard was a loud
voice announcing, :I have a minister on the phone who can't stand
to preach!"
A clever comeback or witty insight will always bring a fun smile to my lips.

5. Hearing a favorite song on the radio or CD player will fill me with smiles.

BONUS 6. A beautiful sunset, puppies, blooming flowers, plump tomatoes on the vine,
seeing my sister, talking on the phone with my niece, etc. the list
can go on. Gratitude always follows on the heels of a smile!

PREPARING FOR lENT -
I've been busy preparing for the upcoming season of Lentand preoccupied with the seething unrest and unresolved backlash of grief from an incident at the church into which I walked in as an interim. There is much healing to be done there. It is my prayer for them.
To that end, I am preparing a mid-week Lenten series on different types of prayer, to open them up to new forms of praying for one another and their community of faith.
I will need to prepare for the upcoming congregational meeting in February to which they, thankfully, agreed to hold a potluck so as to break bread together.
They also need some mission project and vision to work towards together, as well as to communicate with one another.
So, although, I have not been posting as much, I am indeed at work.
I marvel that the past two interims, at churches of another denomination, have been so challenging and more screwed up than perhaps the governing body truly realizes. Or perhaps, they do, and sent in the sacrificial Presbyterian into the lions' and wolves' den!!!!
With my star gift word of "tenderness" this year, I am trying to live that as I hold tenderly their need to heal and the woundedness they are feeling and going through. I pray that they can come through this transformed and more vital. But am not sure how possible that is.
In the meanwhile, I do what I can to promote healing, to model healthy communication and behavior and trust that God's Spirit is at work inspite and despite of us all.

PLAY ALONG - A REQUEST

So, just before Christmas I received in the mail an envelope from a church in a Western State. I didn't even need to open it. I already knew what it contained - a rejection letter about not being further considered as a pastor candidate to fill their empty pulpit. I have gotten somewhat familiar with these out-of-the-blue rejection letters as my denomination will match up candidates with churches seeking pastors and often, unbeknownst to the candidate the computer sends the church one's profile. So every once in a while, I recieve a rejection letter from some church I never even knew existed.
Now, I know I am not the only clergy who has been rejected from further consideration for a position to serve the church. I am banking on many of you having suffered through one or more letters of rejection.
If you would share with me what some of those rejection letters said, or how they were worded, I would appreciate it. I find some of them quite fascinating. Especially, the one that told me that the church was "moving in a different direction" whatever that means!!! So, now the church is considering calling a circus performer, or a Wall Street Investment Broker, or an Engineer as pastor? Or has the church decided not be a church anymore and are planning to become a dinner theatre or a banquet hall for weddings and other such gatherings?!!?
As you can see, I look for the humor in these things! So, If you would share a phrase or two or three about letters of rejection you have received I would just love to hear them!!!
Not ready to throw in the towel of ministry quite yet and seeking to lift up the crushed and near crushed.

STARTING A NEW YEAR -
sick. LH ended the year with a bug and sick and I'm beginning the year with it. Thanks, dear husband of mine!!!
It was a whirlwind end of the year. My sister and BIL decided to drive in from IL on Monday. So, Thursday, Friday and Saturday we were busy cleaning, getting the guest bedroom ready, dusting, mopping, grocery shopping and picking up some fun items to ring in the New Year.
I went in to the church on Monday and LH was home. Our dryer also died just before Christmas and we had ordered a new one. Apparently they don't stock gas dryers only electric because folks are more fearful of gas. So, on order it went. They are more expensive than I remembered and we got a simple, basic dryer. Not to say, that I didn't look longingly at the Whirlpool Duet. But there's no way our tiny laundry room would accomodate the larger, fancier, models with all the bells and whistle. Technically, we just need to be able to dry our clothes!
That dryer was also due to be delivered and installed on Monday!
I hurried home after a hospital visit and it started to snow. Mainly, it just blew around, the interstate remained clean. Until I came up on my exit, where the snow was starting to coat the streets. By the time, I drove into our development, it was getting slippery and it took three attempts to make it up the driveway. And, to my surprise, the company had not yet arrived - nearly an hour later than they had planned.
So, I changed, did a couple last minute things, filled the stock pot with water ready to await the gift of dinner.
Finally, after another half hour, they did indeed arrive - bearing gifts of frozen crab legs, Eli's cheesecake, and a beautiful orchid plant. The most precious and welcome gift was themselves. We hadn't seen each other in over a year. It felt so wonderful to be in their company.
Dinner was scrumptious and the company even better.
We talked, we played Jenga and got the block tower to 34 levels. And every time it was our turn, we knew it would topple and it didn't. That went on for nearly a half hour. LH finally toppled it and I won!
There were Island Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Panettone (warmed in the oven) and a
most wonderful Prosecco to ring in the New Year. We donned our hats, tiaras, beads, paper 2013 eyeglasses, horns and clackers and with a bubbly toast greeted the new year.
On New Year's day, LH's sisters joined the merry gang for dinner. And there was ham for all to enjoy. That was after our traditional breakfast of eggs benedict (which the SILs missed since they didn't come until the afternoon.).
With little sleep, much activity and excitement, and LH still very buggy, it's no wonder that I am not well at the present. I hope to have a voice to lead worship and preach with on Sunday, plus I teach Adult Sunday School and will have a Confirmation Class following the second service. I am resting my voice. I am gargling with warm salt water. I may need to invest in some Mucinex.
The year can only get better as I will too!!!!
And, I got to see my sister last year and this year already, too!!!!
We live way too far apart. I miss my family and being able to see them from time to time. It is as it is, at least for now and in the near future, unless God has other plans for us in the coming year.